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Apply by Friday, June 14, 2024 for first consideration

FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC

Salary:  $111,408 - $132,815 Annually

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The San Rafael Fire Department is an all-risk fire agency that includes 69 operational firefighters trained in the areas of firefighting, Advanced Life Support (ALS) response, ambulance transport, technical rescue, hazardous material response, disaster response, fire prevention, and community preparedness.  We constantly strive to provide the highest level and most capable emergency service delivery possible to our community; a service that is professional, compassionate, predictable, consistent, and sustainable.

We are looking for individuals whose values align with our departmental commitment to respect, integrity, compassion, equality, and fairness.

To schedule a station visit, phone or video call with active-duty personnel, e-mail Fire.Department@cityofsanrafael.org and provide your name and a contact phone number.

THE CITY is focused on enhancing our community members’ quality of life through well-designed services and a positive workplace culture.  San Rafael is the economic and cultural heart of Marin County, and its high quality of life is centered on its commercial districts, engaged neighborhoods, active lifestyle, and natural environment.  San Rafael (population 61,000) is a full-service city with a city council/city manager form of government with 12 departments, more than 400 employees, and an annual budget of $172 million.  The City’s vision is to be a vibrant economic and cultural center reflective of its diversity.  The City Council is engaged and seeks to strengthen the urban and commercial areas as well as sustain the beautiful natural environment. 

San Rafael’s Organizational culture framework is an initiative called “Together San Rafael.”  City employees are our greatest asset, and we seek talented individuals with diverse backgrounds who are creative, curious, and excited about a challenge.  We are a results-driven team focused on the needs of community members.  The Together San Rafael initiative is focused on modernizing City services and increasing the engagement of employees.  This initiative recognizes the interconnectedness of the customer and employee experience. 

Come join our extraordinary team!

Please review the Firefighter-Paramedic job description available on our website.

The Firefighter-Paramedic protects life, property, and the environment by performing firefighting activities, emergency medical aid, hazardous materials response, and fire prevention duties. The position is also responsible for maintaining fire equipment, apparatus, and facilities.

The Department seeks individuals whose values align with our departmental commitment to respect, integrity, compassion, equality, and fairness. Our six San Rafael neighborhood fire stations deliver exceptionally courteous, compassionate, and professional public service.  Our firefighters are committed to helping their community and their fellow firefighters. Our workforce is diverse and continuously strives to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.  Our members work closely with multiple service agencies to ensure we are meeting the unique needs of the multicultural community of San Rafael.

Our department supports a behavioral health program consisting of IAFF trained Peer Support members, as well as members trained in critical incident stress management. The culture established by our personnel is cited as a key contributor to what makes the San Rafael Fire Department a great place to work.  With over half of our line personnel having been hired within the past decade, there is a major focus on physical fitness, training, health and wellness, and an overall excitement about learning the art and trades of firefighting and emergency medicine.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Candidates must have a high school diploma AND a minimum of 21 semester units of college coursework. 
• The following documents should be attached to your application as ONE PDF file.  If you are still in the process of obtaining a Firefighter I or Paramedic License you will be asked to provide a status update prior to full background:
  • CPAT card dated on or after June 14, 2023.  To register for an upcoming exam, visit https://www.fctonline.org/ 
  • Completion of CA State Board of Fire Services Firefighter I curriculum or ability to obtain prior August 1, 2024.
  • Valid California Paramedic License (or equivalent) or ability to obtain prior to August 1, 2024.  

BENEFITS:

The City of San Rafael offers an attractive compensation and benefits program, including participation in the Marin County Employees’ Retirement (MCERA) pension program, tiered contributions towards CalPERS health insurance, matching Retiree Health Savings (RHS) contributions, fully paid Dental coverage and Uniform Allowance.

Please review the attached job bulletin for benefit information.  You can also review our benefits summary and the San Rafael Firefighters’ Association MOU for more information.

Per Diem Dispatchers will provide public safety dispatching at Levi's Stadium and/or Santa Clara Police/Fire Communications.

 

As an as-needed employee, this is an "at-will" position and there is no guarantee of hours. Hours are limited to 999 in a fiscal year or 960 hours in a fiscal year for retired CalPERS annuitants. 

 

THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS IN THIS, OR OTHER DIVISIONS OR DEPARTMENTS BESIDES THE POSITIONS LISTED BELOW.  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN EMPLOYMENT IN THIS CLASSIFICATION, YOU SHOULD APPLY TO ENSURE YOU ARE CONSIDERED FOR ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY UTILIZE THE APPLICANTS FROM THIS RECRUITMENT. MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMITTANCE INTO THE EXAMINATION PROCESS.  ONLY THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE THE BEST COMBINATION OF QUALIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF THE POSITION WILL BE INVITED TO TEST OR INTERVIEW. 

 

 

 

Typical Duties

 

Duties may include, but are not limited, to the following:

• Operates base radio console equipment, transmitting and receiving routine and emergency messages
• Receives emergency and routine requests for services from the public via 9-1-1, alternate emergency lines, and business lines
• Dispatches appropriate emergency vehicles, equipment, and personnel in response to those requests, in accordance with established policies and procedures
• Coordinates emergency operations between various departmental personnel and equipment
• Operates data terminals for information pertaining to daily public safety operations and general emergency services
• Maintains written logs, files, and computer information in the prescribed manner
• Updates computer files and performs other clerical functions and tasks as directed
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Receives emergency and routine requests for services from the public via 9-1-1, alternate emergency lines, and business lines

 

 

Minimum Qualifications

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Education Requirements: 

Graduation from high school or possession of a GED

 

Minimum Experience Requirements: 

• The equivalent of two (2) years of paid employment experience in public safety dispatching within the past five (5) years of which at least one (1) year included solo status; or
• Five (5) years of current paid employment with a public safety agency or private emergency medical services agency, with high level Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), radio and/or telephone operation; or
• Successful completion of probationary period as a Public Safety Dispatcher I with the City of Santa Clara.

 

License/Certifications: 

Possession of a current P.O.S.T. Basic Dispatch certificate is required.

 

Other Requirements:  

• Incumbents must have the ability to work, as assigned, on schedules that may include Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and non-traditional work hours.
• Must be able to perform all the essential functions of the job assignment.  All candidates will be required to pass a City background investigation, which will include fingerprinting and/or psychological testing.

 

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

 

Knowledge of:

• General public safety radio and telephone communications systems
• Police and fire emergency procedures
• Primary roads, streets, highways, major buildings, and public facilities within the City's boundaries

 

Skill In: 

• Reading and interpreting maps; and maintaining accurate records

 

Ability to: 

• Read, write, spell, and speak in clear, concise English
• Learn correct telephone answering techniques, policies and procedures
• Operate computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system with sufficient speed and accuracy to document field activity and create calls for service within response criteria guidelines
• Analyze situations quickly and accurately, while taking effective action to assure public safety provider and citizen safety
• Follow verbal and written instructions
• Communicate clearly and distinctly using radio and telephone equipment
• Maintain composure and work accurately in emergency situations
• Work in a team-based environment and achieve common goals
• Establish and maintain tactful, courteous, and effective working relationships with those contacted during the course of work, including the general public
• Work in a confined area, wearing a headset which restricts physical movement about the work area
• Accurately enter information into the CAD system while simultaneously receiving information by phone or radio
• Retrieve data from CAD terminal or other keyboard device, maintain appropriate documentation of previous events, details, and conversations
• Work in a highly structured environment where all communications are recorded or documented and reviewed as public record
• Handle multiple priorities and organize workload
• Extract information or data from other computer systems
• View multiple video display terminals for extended periods of time in low variable light conditions
• Distinguish and interpret the meaning of colors on video display terminals
• Distinguish and comprehend simultaneous communications from several sources
• Work continuously or uninterrupted as required, standing or sitting for extended periods of time
• Perform with a high standard of customer service, professional conduct, and civic responsibility
• Use emergency medical questioning techniques and provide medical instructions via telephone when required
• Type at a net rate of 35 wpm on a computer keyboard

 

 

Additional Information: 

You must answer all job-specific questions in order to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applications must be filled out completely (i.e. do not write “see resume or personnel file.”). To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a 1) Possession of a current P.O.S.T. Basic Dispatch certificate. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Application packets may be submitted online through the “Apply Now” feature on the job announcement at www.santaclaraca.gov. Applications will be reviewed on a bi-weekly basis for consideration to the position.  If you are interested in applying you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, before the position is closed.

 

The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of Santa Clara is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 615-2080 or HumanResources@santaclaraca.gov. 

 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the general supervision of a Senior Public Safety Dispatcher or Watch Commander and the overall direction of the Communications Operations Manager.

 

TO VIEW JOB ANNOUNCEMENT, CLICK JOB PDF OR JOB ANNOUNCEMENT URL BELOW.